Fainting

FAINTING

DEFINITION

  • Fainting (passing out) is when a person loses consciousness for a short amount of time. Usually the person falls to the ground or slumps over.
  • Awakens in less than 1 minute.

FIRST AID Advice for Fainting

  • Lie down with feet elevated.
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WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call 911 (you may need an ambulance) if:

  • Still unconscious after 1 minute has passed
  • Difficult to awaken or acting confused
  • Very weak (can't stand)
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Lips or face are blue
  • Heart is beating irregularly or very fast  (i.e., "palpitations")
  • Heart is beating too slowly (i.e. less than 60 beats per minute)
  • Any bleeding (including vomiting blood, blood in stool, or vaginal bleeding)
  • Black bowel movements
  • History of heart problems or congestive heart failure
  • Pregnant or possibly pregnant
  • Any head or face injury
  • Signs of dehydration (e.g. no urine in more than 12 hours, very dry mouth, lightheaded, etc.)
  • Occurred during exercise
  • Age greater than 50
  • Fainting twice in one day

Call your doctor now (night or day) if:

  • You feel weak or very sick
  • New-onset pale skin (pallor)
  • Fainting occurs and afterwards you don't feel perfectly well

Call your doctor within 24 hours (between 9am and 4pm) if:

  • You think you need to be seen

Call your doctor during weekday office hours if:

  • You have other questions or concerns
  • Fainting is a recurrent problem

Self care at home if:

  • Simple faint due to stress, pain, prolonged standing, or suddenly standing up and you now feel completely fine, and you don't think you need to be seen
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HOME CARE ADVICE

  • Rest: Lie down with feet elevated for 10 to 20 minutes. (Reason: simple fainting is due to temporarily decreased blood flow to the brain.)
  • Sugar: Drink some fruit juice, especially if you have missed a meal or have not eaten in more than 6 hours.
  • Fluids: In hot weather, drink several glasses of cold water and apply a cold wet washcloth to the forehead.
  • Prevention: For fainting associated with prolonged standing, eat more salty foods and drink more fluids every day.
  • Pregnancy Test When In Doubt:
    • If there is any possibility of pregnancy, obtain and use a urine pregnancy test from the store.
    • Follow the instructions included in the package
  • Call Your Doctor If:
    • You pass out again on the same day
    • You are pregnant
    • You become worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you become worse or develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

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REFERENCES

  1. Calkins H, Shyr Y, Frumin H, et al. The value of the clinical history in the differentiation of syncope etc. Am J Med. 1995;98:365-373.
  2. Forman DE. Syncope in the elderly. Cardiol Clin. 1997;15(2):295-311.
  3. Huff JS, Decker WW, Quinn JV, Perron AD, Napoli AM, Peeters S, Jagoda AS; American College of Emergency Physicians. Clinical policy: critical issues in the evaluation and management of adult patients presenting to the emergency department with syncope. Ann Emerg Med. 2007;49(4):431-44.
  4. Kapoor WN. Syncope. N Engl J Med. 2000;343(25):1856-1961.
  5. Martin GJ, Adams SL, Martin HG, Mathews J, Zull D, Scanlon PJ. Prospective evaluation of syncope. Ann Emerg Med. 1984;13(7):499-504.
  6. Martin TP, et.al. Risk stratification of patients with syncope. Ann Emerg Med. 1997;29(4):459-66.
  7. Meyer MD, Handler J. Evaluation of the patient with syncope: an evidence based approach. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 1999;17(1):189-201, ix.
  8. Sotiriades ES, Evans JC, Larson MG, et.al. Incidence and prognosis of syncope. N Engl J Med. 2002;347:878-85.
  9. Strickberger SA, Benson DW, Biaggioni I, et.al. AHA/ACCF Scientific Statement on the evaluation of syncope. Circulation. 2006;113(2):316-27.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

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